The Melissa Highgate schoolgirl fundraiser has raised nearly £100,000 in just two days to support the family of Melissa Premaratne, the 16-year-old killed in a taxi crash on her way to class last week.
The Melissa Highgate schoolgirl fundraiser, set up by family friends Julie Welch and Shan Li on GoFundMe, surged towards the six-figure milestone within 48 hours of launching — a measure of the grief felt across north London since the teenager’s death.
Melissa was fatally injured on the morning of Thursday, 24 September after being hit by a taxi on North Road, Highgate, a short walk from Highgate School where she was a pupil. Police were called at 8.13am to reports of a collision involving a pedestrian and a car. The driver stopped at the scene, and a 68-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. He has been bailed pending further enquiries.
Key facts
- Who: Melissa Premaratne, 16, a pupil at Highgate School
- What: The Melissa Highgate schoolgirl fundraiser — nearly £100,000 raised in 48 hours for her family
- The crash: The morning of 24 September on North Road, Highgate; police were called at 8.13am
- Organisers: Family friends Julie Welch and Shan Li, via GoFundMe
- Where the money goes: Flying Melissa’s grandparents over from Asia for her funeral, and easing the financial burden on her mother
A tribute to a bright future
Melissa’s family described the teenager as “a light in our lives and an amazing person” who will be missed “deeply, every single day” — words echoed in the family’s tribute to her ‘beautiful spirit’.
A tribute attached to the fundraiser paints a picture of a remarkable young life. “Melissa was only 16. With ten grade 9s at GCSE, a love of learning and dreams of studying Mathematics and Philosophy at Oxford, she had so much to look forward to,” it reads.
“Melissa was the rock that held her family together and mature beyond her years, providing support to her Mum and younger sister during the difficult times they have faced,” the tribute continues. “She was also an exceptionally kind, funny, talented and a wonderful friend to so many. Her beautiful smile won people’s hearts, and her caring and thoughtful nature brought joy to those around her.”
Her hobbies included sport, reading, playing the piano and singing in the choir — one of her favourite pieces was said to be Pie Jesu, which she performed at Southwark Cathedral. The organisers say the memory of hearing her sing is one “that will remain precious to all who heard her.”
Highgate School described Melissa as being “full of promise and hope”.
Timeline: from crash to fundraiser
- 8.13am, Thursday 24 September: Police are called to North Road, Highgate, after a collision involving a pedestrian and a car. Melissa, 16, is fatally injured on her way to school.
- 24 September: The driver, a 68-year-old man, stops at the scene and is arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. He is later bailed pending further enquiries.
- 25 September: Melissa is named publicly and her family pay tribute to her ‘beautiful spirit’; her school speaks of a pupil full of promise and hope.
- 26–28 September: Family friends Julie Welch and Shan Li launch the Melissa Highgate schoolgirl fundraiser on GoFundMe. Donations flood in, reaching nearly £100,000 within 48 hours.
Where the money will go
According to the organisers of the Melissa Highgate schoolgirl fundraiser, the donations will help bring Melissa’s grandparents over from Asia so they can attend her funeral, and will ease the financial burden on her mother as the family comes to terms with their loss.
The speed of the fundraising — almost £100,000 in two days — reflects how deeply Melissa’s death has affected the Highgate community and beyond, with hundreds of donors leaving messages of condolence alongside their gifts.
Anyone wishing to contribute to the Melissa Highgate schoolgirl fundraiser can find the appeal, organised by Julie Welch and Shan Li, on GoFundMe.
